System of electrical distribution.



H. L. VAN VALKENBURG. SYSTEM OF ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION.

APPLICATION FILED Emma, 190e,k

NWT/vegas@ Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

INI/ENTER' l electromotive force in the bus-bars.

UNTE @may ramena" critica.

Hannon L. van VALKENBURG, or Nonwoon, omo, Assiettes 're THE eULLocK nnncrnc- MANUFACTURING coureur, a conroaarron or onto.

.SYSTEM GdF ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION.

Loosen?.

Specification of Letters Patent.

-Patented Get. 17,1911.

` Application led February 28, 1906. Serial No. 3o3,360.

To all whom 'it may concern; '1

Be it known that l, HnnMoN L. VAN VALKENBURG, citizen oft the United States, residing at Norwood, in the county ot Harnm ilton and State of Ohio, have inventedlcer- /tain new and useful Improvements in Systems of Electrical Distribution, ot which the following'isva full, clear, and exact speeiieation.

My invention relates to systems of electrical distribution and particularly to those in which two or more generators 'are open ated in parallel.

As is well known, in operating generators in parallel it is necessary, betere any one generator can 'be connected to the bus-bars, that the voltage of that generator be made equal .to the voltage of the bus-bars, and in alternating current distributing systems it is necessary that the electr-emotive force in the generator about to` be connected to the busbars be brought into synchronism wi'h the It is customary to connect a ,measuring instrument, such as a voltmeter or synchronizer, to the generators by means ot a removable plug adapted to tit into a suitable plug .receptacle on each switch board panel. l/Vlth this method two voltmetcrs are usually oni-- ployed, one connected permanently to the vbusbars and the other so connected to the several plug receptacles that it may be connected to each generator by insertingr the plug in the proper receptacle. This method while satisfactory in some respects possesses several disadvantages. ltV is difficult to change the plug quickly from one panel to another, and it more than one plug is employed there is a possibility that both plugs may be used at the same time, in which case a short-circuit would result. Furthermore, there isv valways danger of the plug` being broken or destroyed.

In a vco-pending application Serial No. 301,818, tiled Feb. 19, 1906, I have shown and described a system o/ distribution consistingv of a `number of circuits, in that case generators and bus-bars, provided with a number 'of double-throw pull and push instrument switchesl having contacts so interconnected and arranged that an instrument can be connected to any one generator or tothe busbars by simply manipulating a single switch and can be easily and quickly transferred from one generator to another by manipulating the Jswitch corresponding to one ot said generators provided Iall the switches between Athat switchand the instrument are in their normal or in positions. As.. the instrument switches are shown the contacts are so arranged and interconnected that in case it is desired to connect the instrument to one ot the. circuits, as tor example one ot the generators, by manipulating the switch corresponding to that generator, all the switches 'between the instrument and the first mentioned switch must be in their normal or in positions. However, the position of any switch'or switchesmore remote from' the instrument than that switch' which is inanipulated. to connect the circuit corre-A sponding thereto to the instrument does not in the least aftect'the connections of the in'y strumentto'that circuit. To explain this point in detail, assume for example that there are three switches tor 'connecting the instrument tothree circuits. If it is desired responding' to the middle switch. that switch `will be manipulated hr drawn to] one position and the switch between the switch in question and'v the instrument must be 'in its in or normal position, in order that the .circuitnni-y be completed between the instru'- Inent and the circuit,corresponding to the middle switch. l'lowever, the position of the third switch, or thc switch more remote from vthe `instrument than the second switch is immaterial, and this third switch could be. manipulated without 1n the least altecting the connection of the instrument to thecirlcuit ctn-responding to the second switch.

Should, ligwever, the first switch, or the. switch between the instrument and. the second switch, be manipulated, the instrument would be immediately transferred to hthe circuit corres} )onding to the tirst switch. ln other words, it there are two or there switches in their out positions, the .instrument connected to that circuit correspond ing to the out switch which is nearest to.' the instrument. It the switches are visiblet to the operator from. the position of anyi one switch, he can ascertain, by a glance at: the switches, to which circuit the instrument is connected. This system has no material disadvantages when all the switches are visible to the operator. Inf case, however, all the switches are not visible from any one of the switches the operator can not so easily to ;`i::om1ec tl` the instrumentto the circuit corascertain to which'circuihthe instrument is connected, because a switch between any one s'witch ,and the instrument may be out-7. it necessary, therefore, in order that the operator may ascertain whether or not the instrument. is connected to a circuit corresponding to a certain switch that he manipuy late that switch and notev whether or not there is a change in the indication of the instrument.v if, on manipulating a certain switch, there is a change in the indication of the instrument he will know that all the switches between that switch and the instru ment are in their in or norma-l positions and that the instrument is connected to the circuit corresponding to the switch that he has manipulated. But there may not be such a change and still the instrument'be so connected. Moreover, if there is more than one operator, one of them may take the instrument away from the other, and neither know it. Thus, if tte'perator or operators fail circuit by manipulating one of the switches to ascertain whether or not the instrument is connected to a generator/ about to be connected -to the-bis4birs, and should the instrumentin 'fact be' not so connected, a generator might be seriously damag d by being lconnected to the bus-bars before it is at the unless all the other switches are in their v normal positions.. In case pull andxpush switches are em iibyed, and with one of the switches in its out position if there is a reading on the instrument the operator will know posi ively that the instrument is connected tdtee'circuit corresponding to that switch.7

My invention consists in the details of construction, and the combinations and arrangements of parts described in "the speciication and set forth in the appended claims. i

For a better understanding of my inven` tion, reference is had tothe accompanying drawing which shows a system of distribue tion consisting of a plurality of circuits equipped with my invention.

As my invention is particularly useful when used in connection with a plurality of generators adapted to be connected to busbars, my invention is shown and described in connection with such apparatus.` The bus-bars are shown respectively at 10, 11 and 12, and in this case two three-phase generators 13 and 14 are adapted to be connected thereto b v suitable leads 15 and switches 16. At 17 is shown a measuring instrument, in this` case intended to be a voltnieter, which is adapted to be connected to either generator or to the bunbars by switches 18, 19 and 20, in a manner to be explained later. It is to be understood that l' the number of generators can be increased, two being shown merely for the sake of clearhess. In this case the instrument is to be connected to` the various generator or bus-bar Vcircuits by potential transformers 21, 22 and 23, transformer 21 having its pri-v mary connected. across two of the conductors or leads of generator 13, transformer 22 having its primary connected across two of the conductors or leads of generator 1st, and transformer 23 having its prima-ry connected across two of the bus-bars 11 and 12. The instrument switches 18, 19 and 20, employed for connecting the instrument to the several circuits, may be mounted in any suitable supports 24. Each switch in this case isa pull and push switch and has five points or sets of contacts, and/each has three poles a, Z), and c, poles c and c having two sets of contacts each, and pole b having one set of cont-acts. Three movable bridging contact members 25, 26 and 27 are mounted on a horizontal operating handle 28 of each switch and are adapted to engage respectively the contacts ofthe poles a, t and c. One side of the voltineter 17 is connected by conductor 30 to one side of each of the secondaries of the transformers 21 22 and 29. The opposite side of the secar ary of transformer 21 is connected. by conductor 31 to the upper forward contact of i" pole a of switch 18. The opposite side of the secondary of transformer 22 is connected by a conductor 32 to upper forward contact of pole la of switch 19. -And the opposite side of the secondary of transformer 23 is connected by conductor 33 to theupper forward contact of pole a of switch 20. The lower forward contact of pole a. of switch 18 is connected by conductor 34 to the upper rear contact of pole a of' 1 switch 19. rlhe two lower contacts of pole a of switch 19 are eonnectedby conductor 35 to the upper rear contact of polea of switch 20. The two lower contacts of pole a of switch 2O are connected by conductor 36 to the two lower contacts of pole c of switch 20. The opposite side of the voltmeter is connected by conductor 37 to the three upper contacts of poles b and c of switch 1K8. The lower contact of pole b of switch 18 is connected by conductor 38- to the upper Contact of pole b and to the upper forward Contact of pole c of switch 19. The lower Contact of pole I) of switch 19 is connected by conductor 39 to the upper forward contact of pole c of switch 20. Thelower` contacts of pole c of switch 18 are connected by conductor 40 to the upper rear contact of pole c of switch 19 and the lower contacts of pole c of switch 19 are connected loclred. 1n each case the circuit connections are made from any one switch through all the other switches more remote from the instrument through pole o of each of said c, switches, to vpole c of the switch most remote he placed in its til) rointhe instrument, and then bach through poles or of all the switches, to the inst-runient The result obtained by so arranging and connecting the contacts will best he eX- plained by pointing out the connections and paths oi the current through the Switches when the instrument is connected to each circuit. As the switchesare shown in the drawing', the instrument 17 is connected to the transformer Qi) corresponding to gener-l ator 14, and therefore the connections and paths of the currenttrorn this transformer to the roltnieter through the switches will first he pointed out., t is necessary that the switch 19 he in its out position, and, as will appear, it 1ls-necessary that the switches 18 and'() he in their normal or in positions. T he bridging contact 25 of pole o' of `switch 19 is in engagement. with. the forward contacts oit this pole and. the bridging contact QT ot pole c is in engagement with the forward contacts of pcie c. @ne side of the secondary of transtornier 22 is therefore connected through the bridging con.- tact of pole o of switch 19 to conductor which connected to the upper rear contact oi pole L ot' switch 20. llt is seen there't'ore that it is necessary that handle ot' switch Q() he in its nornial or in774 position. From this point the circuit is completed as tollows: pole a. of switch 20, conductor 3G, pole c of switch 20, conductor L11, pole c of switch 19, conductor pole b ot' switch 18, conductor 3T, and to the. instrument. l it seen that, in order that the circuit may he cornpletedl through switch 19, it is necessaryY that switch V18 hein its ini position. in case therefore that either switch 18 or switch 2() out position the instrument is disconnected troni transformer 22 of generator l and as will appear later is disconnected troni all the circuits. New, if it is desired to connect the instrument to generator 13 the handle switch 15%' will he placed in its Y" out position, .in which case the circuit of the secondary ot transformer 21 is connected through pole (L ot switch 18 to conductor 34, which is connected to the upper rear Contact ot' pole o. of switch A"19. lt therefore follows that it is necessary1 that this switch be in its in position. vWhen this switch-,is in its in i position the circuit is continued as follows: pole a of switch 19, conductor 35, pole a of switch 20 (which also inust needs be in conduct-or 36, pole c of switch E20, conductor 41, pole Vc of switch 19 (which as stated must he in its in position) conductor 40, pole o ot switch 1S, conductor 37, and to the instrunient. lt ,is seen that, in case 'it .is desired to connect the instrument to generator 13, it is necessary that the switch '18 he in its out position and that the other switches be in their in positions. lf either switch 19 or 20, or both, are placed in their out positions the instrument is disconnected from the transformer 21. lt it is desired to connect the instrument to the bus-bars through "ansi'ornier 23, switch 2O must-,he placed in its out position, and, will appear, thc other switches Inust be in their in positions. The connections are as follows: the secondary of the transformer 29S, pole a, of switch Q0, (thisswitch now being in its out7 position) conductor 3G, pole c of switch 20, conductmI 39, pole o'l `switch, 19, (it is therefore necessary that switch .19 he in its in or normal position), 'conductor pole l of switch 18, conductor B'Lhnd to instrument 17. It is seen that it necessary that switch 1S also he in its in poi-v tion. When switch 19 is out, it was shown that it either switch 1S or 20 or both were placed in their out positions l'the instrument could not he connected to generator 141-. lWhen switch-18 is t out ,f itin-'asi' shown that it either switch 19 or G)0 hr lioth 100 were placed in their Lout7 positions, the instrument could not he connecte-1l to generator 13. lt was also shown that if switch 2O was out, it eitheriisu-'itch 1S or 19v or" hoth were placed in their out positions. 105 the instrumentould not he connected to the hns-hars. 1t follows therefore, that to connect the instrument to a circuit` all the in-Y strument switcl'ies must he in their proper positions. in other words, the switch "cor- '110 responding` to the circuit to which it is desired to connect the instrument must hein its out position and all the other switches musthe in their in positions, and it two or more switches are out the instrument 115 not connected to an).y circuit.

'My invention has vbeen explained in detail in connection with only three circuits, the circuits being in this ase two generators and the 'bus-hars. nit is evident. however, 120

that an)7 number of switches may he inter: connected as are' the three shown, for coniect-iog the instrun'ient to any one ot any nunher ot circuits.

` In case the operator wishes to connectthe instrument to auf,T generator to measure its potential heiore connectingv the generator to the bus-hars, by sinipif; manipulating the switch corresponding to that generatonif there is a reading on the instrument, he 13D nation of a plurality otjcircuits, an indicati knows with certainty that the instrument is vconnected to the generator the potential ot' which'he desires to measure, and therefore there is littledanger of an error on the part of the operator. y,

Asv the contacts are` arranged and connected, to connect the instrument to any one circuit the switch corrcslionding. thereto must be placed in its out position and all the other switches mustAbe placed in their iii positions. It-is obvious that, if dcsired, the contacts can be arranged so that the instrument can he connected `to a circuit by placing thel switch corresponding thereto in its in position and all the other switches in their out positions.

I have shown merely the circuit connections for a voltmeter, but other instruments, as for example a synchronizer. could he connected to any one of the circuit-s in the same manner.

I aim in my claims to cover all modiiications which do not involve a departure from the spirit and scope of my invention.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by LettersPatent is l. In a system of distribution, the combi ing instrument, double-throw switches for connecting the instrumentto the diiierent circuits, and connections between the si 'itches and to the instrument and circuits, said connect-ions when any circuit is connected to the instrument. forming acircuit extending in series from therinstrumentto that circuit through all the switches in definite positions, so that it is impossible to connect the instrument-to any circuit unless all the switches are in their proper positions.

2. In a system of distrihutiom'the combination of a plurality ofI circuits, a measun ing instrument, av plurality of instrument switches for connecting' said instrument to any one of said circuits one only lat a time, and connections between said switches and to the circuits and instrument, said connections vvhen the instrument is connected to any circuit forming a circuit extending in series through all said switches.

3. In a system of distrihutiomthe combi nation of a. plurality ot hns-hars, a plu rality.

of generators adapted to he connected there to in parallel, a measuring instrument,

plurality of doul'ile--throw switches for connecting said instrument to any generator or to the lons-hars, and connections which when all the switches save a single one are in one position form a circuit extending in series from the instrument to the husliars or to the generator through all -the switches, so that it is impossible to connect the instrument to any one generator or to the hushars by inaniinilating the proper switch unless all the other switches are in their normal positions.

4. In a system of distribution, the com ination of a plurality of generators, bus-hars to which said generators are adapted to he connected in parallel, a measuring` instrument, a pluralityjof doiihle-thrw switches for connecting said instrument to any one of said generators or to the bus-bars, said switches each having two operative posi-A tions, and connections which when any one switch is in one position foini a circuit extending in series from one of the generators or the bus-bars tothe instrument through all the other switchesin the other position, so that to make such connection it is necessary that all said other switches be in said other positions.

5. In a system of distribution, the combi nation of a plurality of circuits, a measuring instrument, and a plurality of doubleythrow switches for connecting the instrument to any one of said circuits, said switches having connections which form a circuit eX- lending inl series from any one of said plurality of circuits to the instrument through one switch in one position and all the other switches in the other position,`so that only by placing one switch in one position and all the other switches in the opposite position can the instrument he connected tothe circuit corresponding to the first switch.

6. In a system of distribution, the comhination of a plurality of circuits, a measuring instrument, a plurality of switches for connecting said instrument tov any one of said circuits one only at a time, and connections between the switches and to the instrument and circuits, which connections when the instrument is connected to any one circuit forma circuit which extends in series through all said switches Vand is interrupted if'any switch is not in the proper position.

7. In a system of distribution, the combination or" a plurality of principal circuits, a measuring instrument, a plurality ot' pull and push double-throw switches for connecting the instrument to' any one of said circuits, said switches having connections among themselves and to the instrument and switches which when any principal circuit is connected to the instrui'nent 'form an instrument circuit extending in series through the s'vitch corresponding to that principal circuit in one position vand all the other switches in the other position.

In a system oi distrihutiim, the conihiv nation ot a plurality ot circuits, a measuring instrument, a plurality of switches for connecting the instrument to any one ot' said r circuits, said switches being arranged in order, and connections which forni a cir cuit extending in series from one side of any ol said plurality of circuits to the switch electrically most remote from the instrument and then through all the other switches to the instrument.

nociones 9. In a system oi flistriloution,y the comhry nation of e plurality of circuits, u measun ing instrument having one side connected to one side of each olsaid circuitunnd a plurality of instrument switches for connecting the other side oi the instrument to the other sioleot' any one of said circuits, seid switches having certain contacts to connect the in strument through all the switches successively and other contacts to connect the switch most remote electrically from the instrument to the normally disconnected side of any one of saitlcircuits.

10. in u system of distribution, the combination of u plurality of circuits, a measuring` instrument, plurality of multiple switches for connecting the instrumentl to any one of said circuits, and connections which form a circuit extending in series from the instrument through all said switches rund then from the lust or' said switches to one side oi any one of seid plurality of circuits to which it is desired to connect the instrument.

1l. .in a system of distribution, the comv bination of a plurality of circuits, a measuring' instrument, a. plurality of three-pole switches for connecting the instrument to any one of said circuits, und connections between the contacts of the vswitches und :from such contacts to the instrument and the circuits, which connections when one switch is in one posit-ion nini auch of the other switches is in the other position form a series circuit from the instrument to the circuit corresponding to the switch in the one position through contacts of ali said switches.

12. ln a system of clistrilnition,` the combination of a plurality of circuits, u measuring instrument, a plurality of pull and push switches arranged in order and each having three poles a, E5, and c, for connecting the instrument toany one ci? seid cir-- cuits, and connections between the switches and from the switches to theinstrument und the circuits, seid connections when one switch is in yone position and ell the other switches nre in the opposite position forming a circuit when extends in 'series from one side of the circuit corresponding 'to the switch in the one position toons side ofthe instrument, through contacts ci pole o oi` the switch in the one position and of ull the switches more remote from the instrument, and through contacts of -pole o or c of all the switches.

13. In combination, o plurality of circuits, en indicating instrument, and e plusie w relity of switches, euch switch wl'ien in oneA position connecting seid instrument to one ci sind circuits by wey ot n. circuit extending in series through contacts on all said,

switches in definite positions.

14:. ln combination, s plurality of cir-- cuits, u measuring instrument, and a plurnlity of switches for connecting the instrument to any one of suicl circuits, euch switch 'haring a Contact connectetl to one of said circuits and u cooperating contact connected in series through contacts on all the other switches to the instrument, so that if any one of said switches is not in proper position the instrumentcircuit is broken.

l5. In u system of distribution, the com--A binut-ion or a plurality of circuits, un intliouting instrulilent, a switch corresponding to each ott the circuits, and connections between the circuits, vitches, and instrument so that when any six-itch is in un almorn'lul posit-ion it connects its corresponding circuit to the indicating instrument hyway of rnlty of circuits which corresponds to the switch in the other position 1n series through,

ull the switchestothe instrument, so that in order to connect any circuit to the instru ment the switch corresponding to said circuit must he in one position and each of the other switches in the other position.

17. ln a system or distribution, the-combination of rfi-plurality of circuits, un inuicating instrument, a plurality of double; throw switches arranged in order and each having at least one of said circuits asso ciated with it, and u series connection which extends from the instrument throufrh all thc'switches save one in one position, and then through the excepted switch tothe cirv cuit associated themwith.

ln testimony whereof l :nlm my signature, in the presence of two witnesses. l

HEREQN L. Vtlil VALKENBURG. "Witnesses: Y

l-Insmsr SUTPHIN, Fnnn J. lrnsnr 

